This little Nissan pickup is a perfect example of how to build a street racer. You begin with a small and lightweight body. I would like for it to be rear-wheel drive (four-wheel drive is also nice but more difficult to find). It must be something common so that it will be economical (like this compact Nissan pickup). It doesn’t have to be pretty but it needs to be free of rust and without any major dents.

Next, we need to shop for an engine. The Chevrolet 5.3-liter LS engine is plentiful and cheap. It is also more economical to modify than most other engines. If you can obtain a fuel injected late model engine (and transmission) with a complete wiring harness and controller, you are more than half way to street racing. There will be fabrication required. Be prepared to do some cutting and welding.

The addition of the big V8 to this tiny truck is going to yield a big increase in performance but a power adder will put you over the top. A nitrous kit (or two) is a good way to go but a 72-millimeter turbocharger will turn this D21 into a rocket ship.

A differential swap, some drag radials on the rear, and possibly a roll cage and you are ready to go racing.